Apparatus utilizing buoyancy forces and method for using same

ABSTRACT

An apparatus has a tank with an open top, a tank wall, and a closed bottom. A first ringwall extends from the bottom such that a first annular space is defined by the first ringwall and the tank wall, and a second annular space is defined by the first ringwall. A second ringwall extends in the second annular space, and defines a third annular space between the first ringwall and the second ringwall, and a cylindrical space. An air conduit extends through the cylindrical space. A pod disposed into the cylindrical space has a closed chamber and a displacement chamber. An inner riser disposed in the third annular space has an open bottom, and rests onto the inner ringwall. An outer riser rests onto the outer ringwall and is disposed in the first annular space and has a closed top, a wall, and an open bottom.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/411,772, filed Nov. 9, 2010, theentire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPTS

1. Field of the Invention

The inventive concepts disclosed herein generally relate to an apparatusfor utilizing buoyancy forces and to a method of using the same. Moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein relate to an apparatus for utilizing buoyancy forces bymultiplying the lift of several liquid columns over several surfaces ofa submerged body, and to a method of using the same.

2. Brief Description of Related Art

The properties of buoyancy have been explored as a source of renewableor “green” energy because of the ability to use buoyancy forces inexisting bodies of water without generating additional environmentalpollution and greenhouse gases.

Existing prior art buoyancy devices typically depend on utilizing thebuoyancy energy of waves, or moving waters, and as such have limitedapplications, as they must be installed at certain locations where wavesor moving waters are available in order to work. Further, such prior artdevices do not produce a consistent level of power, as the power outputof such prior art devices is subject to fluctuations in waves, tides,and to seasonal water level variations.

Another problem with currently existing buoyancy devices is that theyare often complicated apparatuses with multiple components, whichrequire frequent maintenance and replacement, and are expensive toimplement and operate. Further such complicated devices often sufferfrom low efficiency and are generally unreliable due to their overlycomplicated designs.

Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus that can be installed anywhereand is capable of capturing buoyancy forces to produce powerconsistently. It is to such an apparatus, and method for using thereof,that the instant inventive concepts are directed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Like reference numerals in the figures represent and refer to the sameor similar element or function. Implementations of the disclosure may bebetter understood when consideration is given to the following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexedpictorial illustrations, schematics, graphs, drawings, and appendices.In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus constructed in accordancewith the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a unit of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a cross-section view of an outer tank according to theinventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the outer tank shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a pod constructed in accordancewith the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 4B is a bottom plan view of the pod shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the pod shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a pod and an inner ringwallaccording to the inventive concepts disclosed herein shown in a fullysubmerged state.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the pod and ringwall shown in FIG.5A in a pre-charged state.

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the pod and ringwall shown in FIG.5A in a fully extended state.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an inner riser constructed inaccordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein shown submergedin an outer tank.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an outer risershown submerged into an outer tank according to the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the head-extender shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8B is a top plan view of the head-extender shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a side view of an embodiment of an outer riser constructed inaccordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 9B is a top plan view of the outer riser shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the head-extender of the outerriser shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the outerriser of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10B is a bottom plan view of the lower portion of the outer risershown in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a top plan view of the lower portion of the outer risershown in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of a hydraulic capture system accordingto the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a differential airmass exchanger in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosedherein.

FIG. 13 is a front view of an embodiment of a differential air massexchanger in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus constructed accordingto the inventive concepts disclosed herein shown in a fully submergedstate.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 14 in apre-charged state.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 14 inthe mid-point between a submerged state and an extended state.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 14 inthe mid-point between a submerged and an extended state, with the airexpansion not shown for clarity.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 14 in afully extended state.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of anapparatus constructed according to the inventive concepts disclosedherein.

FIG. 20 is an elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of a massexchanger according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the inventiveconcepts are not limited in their application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of the components or steps ormethodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated inthe drawings. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are capable ofother embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein is for the purpose of description only and should not beregarded as limiting the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed hereinin any way, unless expressly stated to the contrary.

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the inventiveconcepts, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide amore thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it willbe apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the inventiveconcepts within the disclosure may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known features have not been describedin detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.

As used herein the notation “a-n” appended to a reference numeral isintended as merely convenient shorthand to reference one, or more thanone, and up to infinity, of the element or feature identified by therespective reference numeral (e.g., 100 a-n). Similarly, a letterfollowing a reference numeral is intended to reference an embodiment ofthe feature or element that may be similar, but not necessarilyidentical, to a previously described element or feature bearing the samereference numeral (e.g., 100, 100 a, 100 b, etc.). Such shorthandnotations are used for purposes of clarity and convenience only, andshould not be construed to limit the instant inventive concepts in anyway, unless expressly stated to the contrary.

Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to aninclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or Bis satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B isfalse (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (orpresent), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concepts. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 100 inaccordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein is shown. Theapparatus 100 comprises two units 101 a and 101 b connected by adifferential air mass exchanger 102. Each unit 101 includes an outertank 104, a pod 106, an inner riser 108, and an outer riser 110connected to a hydraulic capture system 112. The outer tank 104 is atleast partially filled with a liquid 114, as will be described hereinbelow.

The two units 101 a and 101 b are substantially identical in structureand function. Therefore, only the unit 101 will be described in detailherein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-3B, the outer tank 104 can be any outer tank104 capable of containing a liquid 114, such as water or other suitableliquid 114. The outer tank 104 may be of any suitable size and shape,but is shown substantially cylindrical in shape, and has an open end, asubstantially flat horizontal bottom 116, and substantially verticallyextending cylindrical tank wall 118. In some embodiments, the tank wall118 may comprise more than one portion, such as a first tank wallportion 118 a and a second tank wall portion 118 b, for example. Theouter tank 104 is made from steel or other non-corrosive material ofsufficient strength and durability, for example. The outer tank 104 mayinclude a lid (not shown) to protect the unit 101 and the liquid 114inside the outer tank 104 from the elements. The lid may be lockable toprevent unauthorized access to the inside of the outer tank 104.Additionally, the outer tank 104 may comprise insulation, heating and/orcooling means, a drain valve, and a fill valve, for example.

The outer tank 104 may be stationary, or mounted on a movable platform(not shown) such as a land-based vehicle, a water-based vehicle, or anair-based vehicle, for example. The liquid 114 contained inside theouter tank 104 may be any liquid 114, such as tap water, distilledwater, seawater, lake water, mineral oil, motor oil, and combinationsthereof, and may comprise any number of chemical additives such as saltsand/or pH buffers, depending on the environmental variables at the outertank 104 location, and the material of choice for the outer tank 104 andthe apparatus 100. In a non-limiting example, the liquid 114 used in anouter tank 104 facing extremely low temperatures may comprise ethyleneglycol, water and ethylene glycol in various proportions, or otheranti-freezing agents, in order to protect the liquid 114 from freezing.Additionally, the liquid 114 inside the outer tank 104 may be treatedwith bactericidal agents and/or other chemical or biological agents toprevent the growth of unwanted organisms, for example.

It is to be understood that the two outer tanks 104 a and 104 b housingthe two units 101 a and 101 b may have different shapes and sizes, maybe made of different materials, and may contain different liquids, forexample. The two outer tanks 104 a and 104 b may, or may not be, influid communication with one another.

The outer tank 104 has at least two cylindrical ringwalls extendingsubstantially vertically from the bottom 116 thereof—an outer ringwall120 and an inner ringwall 122. The outer ringwall 120 and the innerringwall 122 are extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom116 of the outer tank 104, and are substantially parallel to oneanother. As used herein, the term “substantially” is intended to includesome slight deviations, such as due to manufacturing tolerances,warping, wear and tear, buckling due to pressure, and combinationsthereof, for example.

The outer ringwall 120 extends from the bottom 116 to a first height,and the inner ringwall 122 extends from the bottom 116 to a secondheight. The first height is less than the height of the outer tank 104,in order for liquid 114 to freely move over the top of the outerringwall 120. The second height may be less than the first height, andis less than the height of the outer tank 104 in order for liquid 114 tofreely flow over the top of the inner ringwall 122. In some exemplaryembodiments, the first height of the outer ringwall 120 and the secondheight of the inner ringwall 122 may be equal or substantially equal toone another, while in other embodiments the second height may be greaterthan the first height. The outer ringwall 120 and the inner ringwall 122are separated by a distance, such as a distance of about 1 inch, andcooperate with the tank wall 118 to define two substantially cylindricalconcentric annular spaces—a first annular space 124 between the outerringwall 120 and the tank wall 118, and a second annular space 126between the outer ringwall 120 and the inner ringwall 122. The innerringwall 122 further cooperates with the bottom 116 to define acylindrical space 128 inside the inner ringwall 122. It is to beunderstood, however, that the outer ringwall 120 and the inner ringwall122 may be spaced at a distance greater than 1 inch, or lesser than 1inch, and may define any other suitable concentric shapes, as will beunderstood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in light of thepresent disclosure.

The outer tank 104 is provided with an air conduit 130 extendingsubstantially vertically through a center of the bottom 116 thereof. Theair conduit 130 is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes avalve 132, or other means for selectively closing and opening the airconduit 130 to allow the passage of air and/or liquid 114 through theair conduit 130. The air conduit 130 extends substantially parallel tothe inner ringwall 122 and is disposed within the cylindrical space 128defined by the inner ringwall 122. The air conduit 130 extends to aheight at least equal to the height of the inner ringwall 122, but it isto be understood that the air conduit 130 may extend to various heights;including heights higher or lower than the height of the inner ringwall122, for example. The valve 132 may be any conventional valve 132, suchas a ball valve, a check valve, a manual valve, and combinationsthereof, for example. The air conduit may further comprise an accessvalve 148, which may be used to vent air or to inject air into the airconduit 130.

The outer ringwall 120, the inner ringwall 122, and the air conduit 130may be made of any suitable material, and may be made from the samematerial as the outer tank 104. The outer ringwall 120, the innerringwall 122, and the air conduit 130, may be attached to the bottom 116of the outer tank 104 by any suitable means, such as welds, bolts,rivets, or adhesives, and combinations thereof, for example.Additionally, the outer ringwall 120, the inner ringwall 122, the airconduit 130, and the outer tank 104 may be formed as a unitary body bymethods known in the art. It is to be understood that any number ofringwalls and air conduits with varying heights may be used with theinventive concepts disclosed herein, such as one, three, four, five,six, of more, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-5C, the pod 106 is substantially cylindricalin shape, has a closed top end 134, a closed bottom end 136, andcylindrical wall 138 extending at least partially below the closedbottom end 136 to define a substantially cylindrical displacementchamber 140. The closed top end 134, the closed bottom end 136, and thesubstantially cylindrical wall 138 of the pod 106 cooperate to define aclosed chamber 142, which closed chamber 142 is filled with a gas, andis sealed and pressurized, in order to prevent the closed chamber 142from collapsing due to the external pressure of the liquid 114. Theclosed chamber 142 defines a cylindrical recess 146 adapted to receivethe air conduit 130 therein as will be described below.

The pod 106 is adapted to be disposed inside the cylindrical space 128defined by the inner ringwall 122. The pod 106 is adapted to be loweredor submerged into the outer tank 104 such that the pod 106 is at leastpartially disposed inside the cylindrical space 128 defined by the innerringwall 122, and is movable in a substantially vertical directionrelative to the inner ringwall 122 and the outer tank 104. The wall 138is separated from the inner ringwall 122 by a first annular gap 139. Theclosed top end 134 may optionally have bumper pads 135 (FIG. 14) thatact to cushion impact and to distribute stress when the pod 106 comesinto contact with the inner riser 108 as will be described herein below.The bumper pads 135 may be attached to the pod 106, or may beunattached, depending on the needs.

The size of the pod 106 may vary dependent upon the output needs of theapparatus 100. The volume or air injected into the pod 106 and thestructural integrity of the pod 106 are matched to the safety parametersof the pressure involved with each apparatus 100. The pod 106 isinternally pressurized to neutralize the possibility of implosions, suchas by injecting a pressurized fluid into the closed chamber 142 via avalve 144, for example. A volume of pressurized gas may be sealed intothe closed chamber 142 by a cap (not shown) welded on the top of the pod106, and sealed as a cap at the bottom, but above the wall of thedisplacement chamber 140. The length of the displacement chamber 140will vary dependent on the planned duty cycle of the pod 106. Thedisplacement chamber 140 length is directly related to volume and strokelength.

The pod 106 may be made of any suitable material having the desiredstructural strength and weight, such as stainless steel, polycarbonate,plastic, fiberglass, epoxy resin, and aluminum, for example.

The function of the pod 106 is to: (a) provide lift; (b) follow theinner riser 108 in its upward travel; (c) fill the upper air gap betweenthe pod 106 and the inner riser 108; (d) support the pre-chargefunction; (e) to maintain pre-charge during apparatus stroke; (f) toeliminate the need for additional gap air during cycle; (g) to serve asan open chamber where compressed air can replace liquid 114; (h) toserve as a chamber where compressed liquid 114 can replace air; (i) thespecific dimensions of the pod 106 are determining for stroke length andinner riser 108 configuration. The most notable function of the pod 106is to add lift and maintain ring wall gap and ring wall head within theunit 101.

It is to be understood that the displacement chamber 140 may optionallybe located outside the unit 101, or even below the unit 101, oralternatively, two displacement chambers 140 may be used, as long as thelevel of the liquid 114 in the outer tank 104 b is the same height asthe level of liquid 114 in the outer tank 104 a. Alternatively, thedisplacement chamber 140 may be installed unattached to the pod 106, andcan be attached or welded (with openings at floor level) to an innerfloor (not shown), beside the outer tank 104, or under the outer tank104. Both arrangements may work with an apparatus 100 constructed inaccordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

The displacement chamber 140 attached to the floor may be used in atwo-stage apparatus 100 (having two units 101), and both arrangementscould be used simultaneously in a four-stage apparatus 100 to cycle eachunit 101 in two stages and double the stroke length. The cost of thestroke with the displacement chamber 140 attached to the pod 106 is theloss of about three feet of differential pressure. The cost of thestroke with the displacement chamber 140 attached to the floor is lessthan about half of that, or about one and one-half feet of differentialpressure. The input cost may be further reduced by having a wider,shorter displacement chamber 140 below the outer tank 104 (it may reducethe differential pressure loss which is the cost of the operation).

The closed chamber 142 of the pod defines the cylindrical recess 146therein, into which cylindrical recess 146 the air conduit 130 is atleast partially disposed. The air conduit 130 serves as the primaryaccess to the displacement chamber 140, and functions to fill andevacuate air from the displacement chamber 140 without allowing liquid114 to enter the air conduit 130. The air conduit 130 may be sized suchthat it is shorter than the height of the pod 106, in order to allow fora small gap to remain between the top of the air conduit 130 and the topof the cylindrical recess 146 when the pod 106 is fully lowered orsubmerged into the outer tank 104. The air conduit 130 may further besized so that it fits inside the cylindrical recess 146 of the closedchamber 142 without coming into contact with the pod 106. It is to beunderstood that in some embodiment, the air conduit 130 may come intocontact with the pod 106, such that the pod 106 may rest onto the airconduit 130, for example. The air conduit 130 fluidly connects with thedifferential air mass exchanger 102, and has a main shut-off valve 132and an access valve 148 (FIG. 14) for injecting pressurized air duringapparatus 100 pre-charge as will be described below.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the inner riser 108 is substantiallycylindrical in shape and has an open lower end 150, a closed upper end152, a cylindrical wall 154, and defines a cylindrical space 156. Theclosed upper end 152 of the inner riser 108 may be hereinafter referredto as riser surface area. The inner riser 108 is inserted into the outertank 104 with the open lower end 150 first, and its cylindrical wall 154is sized to fit in the second annular space 126 between the innerringwall 122 and the outer ringwall 120, such that an annular gap 158separates the outer ringwall 120 from the inner riser 108, and anannular gap 160 separates the inner riser 108 from the inner ringwall122. The annular gap 158 and the annular gap 160 may be at leastpartially filled with liquid 114 and/or air. The inner riser 108 issubstantially parallel to the inner ringwall 122 and outer ringwall 120,but does not come into contact with the outer ringwall 120 and the innerringwall 122, except that the inner riser 108 may set, or rest, on topof the inner ringwall 122 when the inner riser 108 is fully submergedinside the outer tank 104. The inner riser 108 is disposed into theouter tank 104 such that the closed upper end 152 comes into contactwith the top end 134 of the pod 106.

The inner riser 108 is substantially hollow and is at least partiallyfilled with liquid 114 and/or air. The inner riser 108 may be in gasand/or liquid communication with the outer riser 110 via at least oneair vent 162, for example, or by any other suitable means known in theart. The inner riser 108 houses the pod 106.

The inner riser 108 can be made of any suitable material having thedesired structural strength and weight, such as stainless steel,polycarbonate, plastic, fiberglass, epoxy resin, and aluminum, forexample. The inner riser 108 is movable in a substantially verticaldirection relative to the outer ringwall 120, the inner ringwall 122,and outer tank 104. The annular columns of liquid 114 separating theinner riser 108 from the outer ringwall 120 and inner ringwall 122cooperatively exert force on the inner riser 108 to stabilize itssubstantially vertical motion. Each side of the outer ringwall 120,inner ringwall 122, and inner riser 108 are pressurized by the air orliquid 114 against it, the internal pressure remains slightly higherthan the external pressure, and the material has been desirablyengineered to withstand, buckling, implosion, and explosion.

The function of the inner riser 108 is to (a) apply lift; (b) to act asa head extender or multiplier; (c) to act as a head eliminator; (d) toconvert differential pressure into lift; (e) to work in conjunction withthe pod 106 and outer ringwall 120 and inner ringwall 122 to multiplythe differential exchange; (f) to sink the unit 101; (g) to float theunit 101.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-8B, an exemplary embodiment of the outer riser110 is shown as substantially cylindrical in shape. The outer riser 110has a cylindrical wall 170, an open lower end 172, a closed upper end174, and defines a lower cylindrical space 176.

The closed upper end 174 of the outer riser 110 has a top surface 178and a bottom surface 180. The wall 170 extends partially above theclosed upper end 174 to define a head-extender 182.

The outer riser 110 is inserted into the outer tank 104 with its openlower end 172 first, and is sized such that the wall 170 of the outerriser 110 is partially disposed in the first annular space 124 betweenthe outer ringwall 120 and the tank wall 118. The diameter of the openlower end 172 is larger that the diameter of the outer ringwall 120 butsmaller than the diameter of the outer tank 104, such that an annulargap 184 separates the outer ringwall 120 from the wall 170 of the outerriser 110, when the outer riser 110 is inserted into the outer tank 104.The annular gap 184 may be at least partially filled with liquid 114and/or air. At the same time, an annular gap 186 separates the wall 170from the tank wall 118. The annular gap 186 may be at least partiallyfilled with liquid 114 and/or air.

In order to submerge the outer riser 110 into the outer tank 104, an airvent 188 is used to vent the air from inside the closed upper end 174 ofthe outer riser 110 to the atmosphere. This air vent 188 is brieflyopened during the initial stage, and remains closed during operation ofthe apparatus 100. The wall 170 of the outer riser 110 is orientedparallel to the outer ringwall 120 when the outer riser 110 is insertedinto the outer tank 104.

When the outer riser 110 is fully submerged in the outer tank 104, thewall 170 of the outer riser 110 extends above the surface of the liquid114 in the outer tank 104 to keep the head-extender 182 substantiallyfree of liquid 114, and to extend the head surrounding the outer riser110.

The bottom surface 180 of the lower cylindrical space 176 sets (orrests) upon the top of the outer ringwall 120 when the outer riser 110is fully submerged inside the outer tank 104. The lower cylindricalspace 176 encompasses the outer ringwall 120 and the inner ringwall 122when the outer riser 110 is inserted into the outer tank 104, and housesthe pod 106 and the inner riser 108. The lower cylindrical space 176 isat least partially filled with liquid 114 and/or air. The lowercylindrical space 176 is in gas and/or liquid communication with thehead-extender 182 via the air vent 188, or by any other suitable meansknown in the art, for example.

The outer riser 110 may be made of any suitable material having thedesired structural strength and weight, such as stainless steel,polycarbonate, plastic, fiberglass, epoxy resin, and aluminum, forexample. The outer riser 110 is movable in a substantially verticaldirection relative to the outer tank 104 and the outer ringwall 120. Theliquid 114 which partially fills the annular gap 184 between the outerriser 110 and the outer ringwall 120, and the annular liquid columninside the annular gap 186 separating the outer riser 110 and the tankwall 118, cooperatively exert force on the outer riser 110 to keep itmoving substantially vertically. This process may be hereinafterreferred to as “hydro-pneumatic dynamic centering” or “dynamiccentering” for brevity. Additionally, the motion of the outer riser 110may be kept substantially vertical by wear guides (not shown) installedon the outer ringwall 120 and the inner ringwall 122 and on the wall 170defining the lower cylindrical space 176 of the outer riser 110.Further, in some exemplary embodiments, one or more weights may beplaced onto, or otherwise connected to the outer riser 110 to assist insubmerging the unit 101.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-10C, shown therein is an exemplary embodimentof an outer riser 110 a. The outer riser 110 a comprises a lower portion190, to which a cylindrical head-extender 192 is attached. The lowerportion 190 is substantially cylindrical in shape, and has a cylindricalwall 194, an open lower end 196, a concave closed upper end 198, anddefines a lower cylindrical space 200. The outer riser 110 a is insertedinto the outer tank 104 with its open lower end 196 first, and is sizedsuch that the outer riser 110 is partially disposed in the first annularspace 124 between the outer ringwall 120 and the tank wall 118. Thediameter of the open lower end 196 is larger that the diameter of theouter ringwall 120, such that an annular gap separates the outerringwall 120 from the wall 194, when the outer riser 110 a is insertedinto the outer tank 104. The annular gap may be at least partiallyfilled with liquid 114 and/or air. At the same time, the diameter of theopen lower end 196 is smaller than the diameter of the outer tank 104,such that an annular gap separated the tank wall 118 of the outer tank104 and the wall 194 of the outer riser 110 a. In order to submerge theouter riser 110 a, an air vent 202 is used to vent the air from insidethe closed upper end 198 to the atmosphere. This air vent 202 is brieflyopened during the initial stage, and remains closed during operation ofthe apparatus 100. The wall 194 is oriented parallel to the outerringwall 120 when the outer riser 110 a is inserted into the outer tank104. The closed upper end 198 has a top surface 204 and a bottom surface206.

The head-extender 192 comprises a wall 208 which extends above thesurface of the liquid 114 in the outer tank 104 to keep thehead-extender 192 substantially liquid-free, and to extend the headsurrounding the outer riser 110, when the outer riser 110 a is insertedinto the outer tank 104. The head-extender 192 may be attached to thelower portion 190 in any suitable way, such as by using a flange (notreferenced), welds, seams, joints, bolts, adhesives, and combinationsthereof, for example.

The bottom surface 206 of the lower cylindrical space 200 may set (orrest) upon the top of the outer ringwall 120 when the outer riser 110 ais fully submerged inside the outer tank 104. The lower cylindricalspace 200 encompasses the outer ringwall 120 and the inner ringwall 122when the outer riser 110 a is inserted into the outer tank 104, andhouses the pod 106 and the inner riser 108. The lower cylindrical space200 is at least partially filled with liquid 114 and/or air. The lowercylindrical space 200 is in gas and/or liquid communication with thehead-extender 192 via the air vent 202, or by any other suitable meansknown in the art, for example.

The outer riser 110 a may be implemented similarly to the outer riser110, for example. The outer riser 110 a is movable in a substantiallyvertical direction relative to the outer tank 104 and the outer ringwall120. The liquid 114 which partially fills the first annular space 124between the outer riser 110 a and the outer ringwall 120, and theannular liquid column separating the outer riser 110 a and the tank wall118, cooperatively exert force on the outer riser 110 a to keep itmoving substantially vertically.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the hydraulic capture system 112 comprises ahydraulic capture cylinder 210, a hydraulic accumulator 212 in fluidcommunication with the hydraulic capture cylinder 210, and a shut-offvalve 214.

The hydraulic capture cylinder 210 is attached to, or connected with,the outer riser 110, and is in fluid communication with the hydraulicaccumulator 212. The hydraulic capture cylinder 210 moves with the outerriser 110 of the apparatus 100 and pumps pressurized hydraulic fluidinto the hydraulic accumulator 212 when the lift pressure of theapparatus 100 exceeds the minimum pressure setting at the hydraulicaccumulator 212. When the minimum pressure is exceeded, the hydraulicfluid is stored under pressure inside the hydraulic accumulator 212until it is consumed as will be described below.

The shut-off valve 214 may be operated to lock, or prevent, thehydraulic capture cylinder 210 from moving, thereby also preventing theouter riser 110 from moving during the pre-charge stage of the unit 101setup.

An optional hydraulic motor 215 of hydraulic generator (not shown) maybe fluidly connected to the hydraulic accumulator 212 and may generatemechanical or electrical energy by using pressurized hydraulic fluidfrom the hydraulic accumulator 212.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a differential air mass exchanger 102according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein comprises one ormore cylinders 216 in fluid communication with the air conduit 130, ahydraulic assist 218 in fluid communication with the hydraulicaccumulator 212.

The differential air mass exchanger 102 can have one or more cylinders216 arranged in such a way as to separate volumes of air of equal sizesand allow pressures to exist on both sides of the cylinder 216. Thecylinders 216 are fluidly connected to the pod 106 via the air conduit130 and are movable between a first position and a second position todisplace a volume of liquid 114 from the displacement chamber 140, byforcing a volume of air inside the displacement chamber 140 through theair conduit 130. The cylinders 216 are further connected to the actuatorbar 220, such that the actuator bar 220 moves as the cylinders 216 movebetween a first position and a second position.

The hydraulic assist 218 may be implemented as a hydraulic piston, or inany other suitable way, for example. The hydraulic assist 218 is influid communication with the hydraulic accumulator 212, and is sized toprovide adequate power to the differential air mass exchanger 102 aswill be described below. The hydraulic assist 218 is attached to theactuator bar 220 and is capable of selectively applying force to theactuator bar 220, such that the hydraulic assist 218 may assist themovement the cylinders 216 between the first position and the secondposition. The force used by the hydraulic assist 218 is supplied frompressurized hydraulic fluid received from the hydraulic accumulator 212.The hydraulic assist 218 moves the actuator bar 220, which in turnassists the action of the differential air mass exchanger 102.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an embodiment of a differential air massexchanger 102 a is shown therein. The differential air mass exchanger102 a can be implemented similarly to the air mass exchanger 102 andcomprises one or more cylinders 216 a in fluid communication with theair conduit 130, a hydraulic assist 218 a in fluid communication withthe hydraulic accumulator 212, an actuator bar 220 a, and acounterweight 222.

The differential air mass exchanger 102 a can have one or more cylinders216 arranged in such a way as to separate volumes of air of equal sizesand allow pressures to exist on both sides of the cylinder 216 a. Thecylinders 216 a are fluidly connected to the pod 106 via the air conduit130 and are movable between a first position and a second position todisplace a volume of liquid 114 from the displacement chamber 140, byforcing a volume of air inside the displacement chamber 140 through theair conduit 130. The cylinders 216 a are further connected to theactuator bar 220 a, such that the actuator bar 220 a moves as thecylinders 216 a move between a first position and a second position.

The hydraulic assist 218 a may be implemented as a hydraulic piston, orin any other suitable way, for example. The hydraulic assist 218 a is influid communication with the hydraulic accumulator 212, and is sized toprovide adequate power to the differential air mass exchanger 102 a aswill be described below. The hydraulic assist 218 a is attached to theactuator bar 220 a and is capable of selectively applying force to theactuator bar 220 a, such that the hydraulic assist 218 a may assist themovement the cylinders 216 a between the first position and the secondposition. The force used by the hydraulic assist 218 a is supplied frompressurized hydraulic fluid received from the hydraulic accumulator 212.The hydraulic assist 218 a moves the actuator bar 220 a, which in turnassists the action of the differential air mass exchanger 102 a. Theactuator bar 220 a has a counterweight 222 attached thereto, thecounterweight 222 is used to both regulate the exchange, and to assistthe exchange after the halfway point between the first position and thesecond position of the cylinders 216 a is reached.

The initial power from the lowering unit 101 is greater than needed atthe beginning of the exchange, equal at the halfway point, and droppinguntil the differential is reached. The counterweight 222 makes itpossible to capture the initial excess energy and then utilize thecounterweight 222 to assist the differential air mass exchanger 102during the descend of power. The hydraulic assist 218 a is used tocompensate for the differential loss by using the pressurized hydraulicfluid from the hydraulic accumulator 212. The differential air massexchanger 102 a may be connected to at least two units 101 a and 101 b,when additional work is added to one side of the differential air massexchanger 102; the cylinder 216 travels in the opposite direction. Theadditional work can be supplied directly or mechanically. Thedifferential air mass exchanger 102 is utilized to control the speed ofthe pre-charge and cycle/stroke of the apparatus 100.

The motion of the differential air mass exchanger 102 is regulatedthrough the use of flow controls on the hydraulic assist 218, such asthe hydraulic shut-off valve 214 (FIG. 11), or other valves, such ascheck valves, or flow control valves, and combinations thereof, forexample. This makes it possible to regulate the speed of the exchange ofair between the unit 101 a and the unit 101 b. The rate of exchange ismetered by response to the sustaining lift of the outer riser 110 inrelationship to the production of hydraulic fluid at a given pressure.

The motion or operation of the unit 101 of the apparatus 100 isregulated by the hydraulic input requirements. The speed at which thishydraulic input is obtained and maintained is by controlling the flow ofthe differential air mass exchanger 102. The differential air massexchanger 102 uses three forces to operate—the exhaust air from thelowering unit 101 which is exerted onto the cylinders 216, the action ofthe counterweight 222, and the force applied on the actuator bar 220 byhydraulic assist 218. The exhaust air from unit 101 a is under pressureand it is directed to the differential air mass exchanger 102 which inturn assists in overcoming the pressure requirements of the displacementchamber 140 of the unit 101 b.

The locking mechanism for the differential air mass exchanger 102 is theshut-off valve 224 to the cylinders 216. In order to remove thepossibility of movement of the differential air mass exchanger 102, theair is vented from the cylinders 216 of the differential air massexchanger 102 to atmosphere. A complete reset/set up of the apparatus100 would be required after venting the air from the cylinders 216 ofthe differential air mass exchanger 102.

The process of assembling, submerging, and pre-charging the apparatus100 will be explained referring to a single unit 101 only. It is to beunderstood that the same process is repeated for unit 101 a and unit 101b of the apparatus 100. The set up with regards to the differential airmass exchanger 102 will be explained in detail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-17, the unit 101 is assembled by first fillingthe outer tank 104 with liquid 114, such that the level of liquid 114 ishigher than the heights of the outer ringwall 120 the inner ringwall122, the first annular space 124, the second annular space 126, and thecylindrical space 128. The first annular space 124, the second annularspace 126, and the cylindrical space 128 are substantially completelyfilled with the liquid 114. The amount of liquid 114 used will vary withthe size of the apparatus 100 and outer tank 104. When two outer tanks104 a and 104 b are used, both should be filled with liquid 114 asdescribed, and the differential air mass exchanger 102 should to befluidly connected to the air conduits 130 of both outer tanks 104 a and104 b.

Next, the pod 106 is submerged inside the cylindrical space 128 definedby the inner ringwall 122. Any air that is retained in the displacementchamber 140 is vented through selectively opening the access valve 148of the air conduit 130, in order to remove the positive buoyancy of thepod 106 and to allow the pod 106 to be completely submerged, such thatthe displacement chamber 140 of the pod 106 rests on the bottom 116 ofthe outer tank 104. Enough air is vented out of the displacement chamber140 to make the pod 106 at least neutrally buoyant at this stage.

Once the pod 106 is completely submerged, the inner riser 108 isinserted into the outer tank 104 with its open lower end first. Theinner riser 108 is submerged such that it is partially disposed in thesecond annular space 126 defined between the inner ringwall 122 and theouter ringwall 120. The inner riser 108 is lowered inside the outer tank104 until the inner riser 108 rests on top of the inner ringwall 122 asdescribed above. Any air trapped inside the inner riser 108 may bevented out by briefly opening the air vent 162, for example. Once theinner riser 108 is fully submerged, the air vent 162 is closed, andremains closed throughout the operation of the apparatus 100.

Next, the outer riser 110 is submerged inside the outer tank 104 withits open lower end 196 first, such that the outer riser 110 is partiallydisposed in the first annular space 124 between the outer ringwall 120and the tank wall 118. Any air trapped inside the outer riser 110 isvented out via the air vent 188. The outer riser 110 is lowered insidethe outer tank 104 until it rests on top of the outer ringwall 120. Oncethe outer riser 110 is fully submerged, the air vent 188 is closed, andit remains closed throughout the operation of the apparatus 100.

The level of liquid 114 inside the outer tank 104 may be adjusted atthis time to ensure the head-extender 182 of the outer riser 110 remainssubstantially liquid-free. It is to be understood that the pre-charge ofthe apparatus 100 will result in a rise in the level of the liquid 114in the outer tank 104, so a sufficient clearance between the level ofthe liquid 114 and the top of the head-extender 182 should bemaintained.

At the initial stage shown in FIG. 14, the unit 101 is completelysubmerged, and is at least neutrally buoyant, but may also be negativelybuoyant. The pod 106, inner riser 108, outer riser 110, outer ringwall120, inner ringwall 122, and outer tank 104 define a series ofinterconnected compartments that form a substantially serpentine shapedflow path as will be described below. The various compartments definedby the parts of the apparatus 100 are substantially full of liquid 114at this stage, although it is to be appreciated that some amount of airmay be present in at least one, more than one, or all of the variouscompartments. It is to be further appreciated that some air is usuallypresent inside the cylindrical recess 146 of the closed chamber 142 toensure that no liquid 114 enter the air conduit 130 and/or thedifferential air mass exchanger 102.

The unit 101 is now ready to be pre-charged. During pre-charge, the unit101 is prevented from travelling upwards by operating the hydraulicsystem shut-off valve 214 as described above.

In this step, pressurized air, or other suitable gas, is injected insidethe displacement chamber 140 via the access valve 148. The pressurizedair may be supplied from an air compressor (not shown), for example. Thevalve 132 may be closed at this stage to prevent the pressurized airfrom reaching the differential air mass exchanger 102. At this point,the pod 106 starts to rise and begins to close the gap between the topof the pod 106 and the inner riser 108, as best shown in FIG. 15. As theair pressure builds inside the displacement chamber 140, a volume ofliquid 114 is pushed out from the displacement chamber 140. This in turnforces liquid 114 upwards inside the first annular gap 139 separatingthe pod 106 and the inner ringwall 122, which liquid 114 is furtherforced to move through the successive compartments by flowing downwardsthrough the annular gap 160 separating the inner riser 108 and the innerringwall 122, upwards through the annular gap 158 separating the innerriser 108 and the outer ringwall 120, again downwards through theannular gap 184 separating the outer ringwall 120 and the outer riser110, and finally upwards through the annular gap 186 separating theouter riser 110 and the tank wall 118. This results in a gradualincrease in the level of liquid 114 in the outer tank 104, so the liquidlevel should be monitored to ensure that the head-extender 182 remainssubstantially liquid-free.

The air is continuously injected throughout the pre-charge process. Asbest shown in FIGS. 16-18, when the displacement chamber 140 iscompletely or almost completely filled with air and substantially all ofthe liquid 114 inside it has been forced out, air bubbles begin to riseupwards in the annular gap 160 separating the pod 106 and the innerriser 108, due to the buoyancy of the air inside the liquid 114. The airbubbles are trapped in the open lower end 150 of the inner riser 108.This results in liquid 114 being pushed out of the open lower end 150 ofthe inner riser 108. The liquid 114 is forced to travel downwardsthrough the annular gap 158 separating the inner ringwall 122 and theinner riser 108, because the pressure inside the displacement chamber140 and the resulting pressures in the annular gap 160 separating theinner riser 108 and the inner ringwall 122 are higher than the pressurein the annular gap 158 separating the inner ringwall 122 and the innerriser 108. The liquid 114 flows similarly through the remainingcompartments and ultimately is forced into the outer tank 104.

The liquid 114 is gradually pushed out of the inner riser 108 to thepoint when the annular gap 160 separating the inner ringwall 122 and theinner riser 108 is substantially full of pressurized air. Once thepressurized air column has reached the end of the wall 154 of the innerriser 108, air bubbles begin to rise upwards through the annular gap 158separating the inner riser 108 and the outer ringwall 120. The airbubbles are trapped inside the open lower end 172 of the outer riser110. The building air pressure forces liquid 114 out of the outer riser110, which liquid 114 travels downwards through the annular gap 184separating the outer riser 110 and the outer ringwall 120, and thenupwards through the annular gap 186 separating the outer riser 110 andthe tank wall 118. The process is continued until substantially all ofthe liquid 114 is forced out of the annular gap 184 separating the outerringwall 120 and the outer riser 110.

Once the pressurized air column reaches the end of the wall 170 of theopen lower end 172, bubbles begin to rise up the side of the outer riser110 and inside the outer tank 104. The apparatus 100 is now pre-chargedand ready to begin its upstroke. The air injection is discontinued. Allthat is needed to initiate and maintain the upstroke is to open thehydraulic shut-off valve 214 and allow the unit 101 to travel upwards.

Filling the displacement chamber 140 moves a volume of liquid 114—whichin turn systematically moves the separated air and separated liquid 114volumes between each outer ringwall 120, inner ringwall 122, and innerriser 108 and outer riser 110 to both create the “head” on one side andunequal pressures (converted to lift) on the inner riser 108 and outerriser 110 surfaces.

The pre-charge process results in alternating air and liquid columns (orhead) being disposed within the annular gaps separating the pod 106 andthe inner ringwall 122, the inner ringwall 122 and the inner riser 108,the inner riser 108 and the outer ringwall 120, the outer ringwall 120and the outer riser 110, and the outer riser 110 and the tank wall 118.This functions to create alternating positive buoyancy and negativebuoyancy. The outer ringwall 120, the inner ringwall 122, the innerriser 108, and the outer riser 110 combinations can be stacked toaccumulate the effect of the initial pressure differential on multiplesurfaces, resulting in a much greater lift without increasing inputcosts. The pressure increases as layers are added because of the head,the beneficial force that is applied per unit of surface area remainsconstant. As in a 12 foot liquid column (or head) will result in 5.2lbs×the surface of the inner riser 108 or outer riser 110, andadditional layer will increase the inner head to 10.4 but the consumableforce within the inner will remain 5.2 lbs times the inner surface,because the next layer will have a opposite force of 5.2 lbs and thenthe second riser will benefit from the 5.2 lbs, which translates intomultiplied lift. It is to be understood that the pod/ringwalls/riserscombination is designed control two or more separate head pressures, itis the presence of head pressure that acts upon the internal surfacesand creates lift. Measuring from the outer riser 110 toward the innerriser 108, each head pressure is added to the next and so the airtrapped between successive liquid columns is at a pressure greater thanthe last pressure, each volume of air captured between the liquidcolumns has a pressure directly related to the accumulations of thepressures of prior liquid columns.

The pressure in each column of air combines with the pressure ofprevious liquid columns and air columns. This increase in pressure is indirect relationship to the previous air column pressures plus theprevious liquid column pressures.

As an example with a liquid column height of 12 feet, or 5.2 lbs psi,the pressure from one side to the other will net a 5.2 psi differential(with the greater pressure maintained on the inside of the system). Oneside may have 10.4 psi and the inside will have 15.6 resulting in therealized pressure of 5.2 psi. That continues throughout the unit 101,increasing with the addition of each head. The pressure is equal at allpoints and helps to force the ringwalls and risers away from each other,since the ringwalls are stronger than the force applied, the force actsto dynamically self-center the risers. The design of the apparatus 100captures the potential between the unequal pressures. Thus a riser thatmay have 15 psi pushing down on it will have 20 psi pushing up, with theresulting force being an upward force of 5 psi for that individualsurface.

When the lengths of the liquid columns are consistent by design, thepressure differentials will remain just as consistent and predictable.Since this transferred liquid column pressures are greater than thepressures on the opposite or top side of the inner riser 108, ameasurable and predictable lift is generated.

The riser sizes, and thus surface areas, increase as the risers areoverlapped, which increases the overall surface area to be affected bythe pressure differential. The air volume up the side of the pod 106 issized to be sufficient to fill the annular gap 160 between the innerringwall 122 and inner riser 108, but as levels are added and pressuresare increased additional volume can be compensated for by having eachsuccessive ringwall about two inches higher than the last. This willfunction compensate for gap air requirements, and allow for greaterreduction of liquid column during sinking operations. The need for thisis directly related to the number of risers and ringwalls added—a largerunit 101 with fewer layers is more efficient than a smaller unit 101with more layers.

The design of the combination of the pod 106, outer ringwall 120 andinner ringwall 122, and inner riser 108 and outer riser 110 is tonaturally sink, i.e. have at least neutral or slightly negativebuoyancy, unless and until the displacement chamber 140 begins toreceive air. In essence no work is done to sink the unit 101; work isonly needed to make the unit 101 rise. The lift realized out of the pod106 is proportional to the multiplied forces on the surfaces of theinner riser 108 and the outer riser 110. Because of the relativeposition to the liquid 114, the design basically makes the operationreversible at the cost of the pre-charge and then reverses charge. Theair and liquid 114 in the system are moved back and fort by thedifferential air mass exchanger 102 as long as the pod 106 and innerriser 108 is allowed to rise when a predetermined lift is reached.

For the purposes of clarity of the foregoing description, the airexpansion that occurs during rise was not considered. In reality, thesuccession of liquid column heights would be reduced at a cascadingrate—one inch of loss per travel for the first head closest to the pod106—two inches of loss per travel of the second head, three inches ofloss for the fourth. The natural expansion of air of about 12% of thetotal volume of each air gap greatly reduces the cascading loss. Thedisplacement chamber 140 is calculated to displace liquid 114 at a ratioof 14 inches to 1 inch of travel; each inch of air forced into thedisplacement chamber 140, not considering the pressure differences,would result in 14 inches of head. In actuality the initial pre-chargeis used to compress the gap air, which in turn expands during rise. Thedifferential pressure (lift pressure) is only affected by the totalrealized head loss. The air expansion only affects the lift at the pointthat head is actually lost. As successive ringwalls and risers areadded, the air needed to fill the ringwall and riser would increasebecause of increased diameter. This can be compensated for bysuccessively reducing the gap to keep the volume at pressure equal.

Reducing the gap can go to infinity, but there is a ratio of effectiveusage to size requirements. It is not feasible to add ringwalls andrisers to infinity, so initially sizing the pod 106, the displacementchamber 140, the outer ringwall 120, the inner ringwall 122, and theinner riser 108 and outer riser 110, is a more efficient approach.

During descend of the unit 101, the air within the unit 101 remainspressurized. The input work performed is used to create liquid columnheight differentials; the work that is captured is a secondary effect ofthe initial input work. The apparatus 100 is designed to cheaply createliquid column height differentials and is operated at atmosphericpressure. The work lift that is captured through the surface area of theinner riser 108 and outer riser 110 is secondary, and is basically afree.

Reversing the process keeps the pressure nearly the same exiting theunit 101 as the pressure that was put in—which is why the exitingpressure can be utilized to help actuate the differential air massexchanger 102. The work that was put in can now be output at nearly thesame rate as the rate at which it was inputted. The stroke lengthreduces the input power by creating a greater differential; this loss iswhat must be overcome to cycle. This unique utilization of a secondaryeffect is what allows the apparatus 100 as disclosed herein to bothutilize the exhaust to assist in actuating the differential air massexchanger 102, and to control the decent of the outer riser 110, theinner riser 108, and the pod 106.

If the unit 101 were raised above the surface of the liquid 114, held inplace and then the displacement chamber 140 were vented—the result wouldbe like that of reversing the differential; a nearly equal downwardforce would be realized, the effective force would be as though theentire unit 101 full of liquid 114 were lifted out of the liquid 114. Itwould be as heavy as the lift was. Operating the apparatus 100“normally” utilizes that force to keep the displacement air underpressure.

Please note that the configuration of liquid 114 and air found in theset up procedure is described for clarity only, and will not be achievedduring cycling of the apparatus 100 (unless the hydraulic shut-off valve214 is closed). During normal operations, once the minimum liquid columnheight differential is achieved to overcome the resistance caused by thehydraulic capture cylinder 210 pressure requirements, the unit 101 willbegin to rise. The apparatus 100 operates at each increase ofdisplacement at that same level of liquid column height differential. Itis the liquid column height differential which translates to pressure,and it is that pressure that acts upon the surface areas of the pod 106and inner riser 108 and outer riser 110 causing lift. The pre-chargeinitially raises the liquid level between each of the outer ringwall 120and inner ringwall 122 and the inner riser 108 and outer riser 110,until the resultant liquid column height differential causes the liftneeded to exceed the resistance of the hydraulic capture cylinder 210.

As the outer riser 110 begins to move, additional air input from thedifferential air mass exchanger 102 into the displacement chamber 140maintains the liquid column height differential and lift. The outerriser 110 cannot move faster than the liquid column height differentialis maintained. The travel of the unit 101 is calculated so that theminimum lift needed is maintained until the end of the stroke. As theouter riser 110 moves further away from the bottom 116 of the outer tank104, or base of the inner ringwall 122, the space once occupied by air(which is the cause of the liquid column pressure) will backfill fromthe liquid 114 which had been pressed to the outside of the innerringwall 122.

The pod 106 is allowed to rise at the same speed at which the air isinjected; this action is controlled by sizing the hydraulic capturecylinder 210 (surface area) in relationship to both the pressure neededand the upward force captured. Full force is maintained for the durationof the stroke allowing the stroke cycle to create a condition with onlya slight loss in lift when the rate of rise and input is matched. At theend of the stroke cycle when the apparatus 100 reaches its fullyextended position, the processes is reversed, the pressurized air whichdisplaced the liquid 114 during the pre-charge and stroke is then usedto assist in the differential air mass exchanger 102.

The hydraulic capture cylinder 210 cannot rise until the inlet pressureof the hydraulic accumulator 212 has been exceeded. This creates anautomatic control of both speed and power. The operation of the pod 106is automatic—it reacts to the rise of liquid 114 around it; it isneutrally affected by the pressure at the top of the outer tank 104.Since the hydraulic capture system 112 is calculated to be set at thelowest force attainable during the stroke, the rise will occur as soonas that minimum force is reached; consequently the rise of the unit 101will occur before pre-charge has been attained.

When using a two-unit apparatus 100, the valve 132 on the air conduit130 of the unit 101 a being submerged first is initially closed untilthe unit 101 a is fully submerged and pre-charged, and the second unit101 b is in its fully extended position. Next, the previously closedvalve 132 should be carefully opened to the differential air massexchanger 102; the pressure from inside the pod 106 will act upon thedifferential air mass exchanger 102 to move the cylinders 216 toward theunit 101 b. Extreme caution should be exercised during this procedure.

Once the second unit 101 b is safely positioned, the valve 132 near theouter tank 104 b must be closed and the process starting withpre-charging the second unit 101 b must be repeated. Once both outertanks 104 a and 104 b are properly and equally charged, the hydrauliccontrols on the differential air mass exchanger 102 should be engaged torestrict movement. Both valves 132 should be reopened and locked in thatposition.

Next, the pressure from the fully extended unit 101 b is routed into thedifferential air mass exchanger 102, which pressure acts to move thecylinders 216 inside the differential air mass exchanger 102 toward theadjacent and full cylinders 216. The air inside the full cylinders 216is pressed into the raising system's displacement chamber 140; at thesame time the differential air mass exchanger 102 is assisted by thehydraulic assist 218. The hydraulic assist 218 receives pressure fromthe hydraulic accumulator 212 and presses the actuator bar 220, theactuator bar 220 works through a fulcrum to apply additional pressure tothe cylinders 216. The initial work of the hydraulic assist 218 is tooverpower the counterbalance; once the halfway point is passed, both thecounterweight 222 and the cylinder 216 work together.

The raising unit 101 a simultaneously receives air into the displacementchamber 140 which initially charges the liquid column until the liftovercomes the set point, and then the production of pressurizedhydraulic fluid is maintained until the end of the stroke. Theproduction of pressurized hydraulic fluid may be controlled by checkvalves before the hydraulic accumulator 212. When the differential airmass exchanger 102 reaches the end of its travel, a mechanism switchesthe direction of the hydraulic assist 218. The production of pressurizedhydraulic fluid is automatic, and in direct response to the dispositionof the differential air mass exchanger 102. The system reversescontinually at the end of each stroke. The down stroke of one unit 101 acorresponds directly with the up stroke of the unit 101 b. The costassociated with the system is the work performed by the hydraulic assist218.

In an alternative embodiment, the outer riser 110 may be optionallyattached to a six-foot (extended length) hydraulic capture cylinder 210which may be mounted above the system on a reinforced truss, forexample. This does little to stabilize the outer riser 110, but can actas a guide. The risers may each have a cap, those caps are gapped fromeach other by spacers, and the spacers keep the surface in a position tobe acted upon by the liquid column pressure. A centering cone may bewelded with a mating convex cone on each successive riser cap; thisallows the risers to separate as needed but aligns them when mating/liftoccurs. This gap acts to consume the volume of air inside each riser andresults in the reduction of the remaining liquid column lowering itslift to below the weight of its inner riser 108. The outer riser 110 isconnected to the hydraulic capture cylinder 210; its travel is limitedby the truss support bracket and the outer ringwall 120 and innerringwall 122. The structural integrity is designed to conform to theneeds of the apparatus 100.

The air from the differential air mass exchanger 102 is injected intothe displacement chamber 140 continuously until the calculated travel isreached. Once equilibrium is reached (the point at which enough liquidcolumn is created to over power the resistance of the hydraulics)—whichis referred to as “pre-charge”—the apparatus 100 is in tension betweentraveling out of equilibrium and receiving additional input to travelfurther. The differential air mass exchanger 102 first works to createthe liquid column, and then works in conjunction with the pod 106 tomaintain the liquid column needed to both travel and overcome theresistance. This design benefits from the liquid column which isgenerated by the moving of the liquid 114, and the buoyancy generated bythe same action. Injecting the air displaces liquid 114 and moves liquid114—both actions, though they sound the same, are utilized to createlift. No additional liquid column is created once equilibrium is reachedbecause the unit 101 moves in direct relationship with the increase inliquid column height at that point. Air is added to gain liquid columnwhile rising from that setup.

Due to the unique combination of the pod 106, the inner riser 108 andthe outer riser 110, and the outer ringwall 120 and inner ringwall 122,during the upstroke the pod 106 takes up space so that the liquid columncan exist cheaply, and the liquid column is maintained and raised out ofthe liquid during the upstroke. When the end of travel is reached on theupstroke the hydraulic assist 218 is reversed to apply power in theopposite direction, this allows the pressurized air in the pod 106 toescape into the differential air mass exchanger 102. When one inch depthof the air is evacuated from the displacement chamber 140 about 14inches of liquid column would be lost if it were not now hung in theair; like an upside down cup pulled out of liquid—a vacuum now pullsdown on each of the inner riser 108 and outer riser 110 surfaces eachpushing down on the pod 106, exceeding the lift of the pod 106.

The refill rate of the hydraulic assist 218 is flow rated to match thespeed of the differential air mass exchanger 102 in order not toover-speed the pod 106, which would cause the liquid 114 below the pod106 to be blown over the inner ringwall 122.

Referring now to FIG. 19, shown therein is an alternative embodiment ofa unit 101 c according to the present disclosure. The unit 101 c may beimplemented similarly to, or differently from the unit 101. The unit 101c comprises an outer tank 230 connected to a differential mass exchanger232, a pod 234, an inner riser 236, an outer riser 238 connected to ahydraulic capture assembly 240. The outer tank 230 is at least partiallyfilled with a liquid 242.

The outer tank 230 can be implemented similarly to the outer tank 104and comprises an open top 244, a closed bottom 246, a tank wall 248, anouter ringwall 250, and an inner ringwall 252.

The outer ringwall 250 and the tank wall 248 define a first annularspace 254, the outer ringwall 250 and the inner ringwall 252 define asecond annular space 256, and the inner ringwall 252 defines acylindrical space 258.

A liquid level indicator 260 extends through the bottom 246 and is influid communication with the first annular space 254. The liquid levelindicator 260 is fluidly connected to a transparent tube 262 whichextends along the outside of the tank wall 248 to provide a visualindication of the level of liquid inside the outer tank 230, forexample.

An air nozzle 264 extends through the bottom 246 and into the secondannular space 256. The air nozzle 264 may be fluidly connected with anair compressor (not shown) such that compressed air may be injected intothe second annular space 256 as will be described below, for example.

A liquid conduit 266 extends through the bottom 246 and into thecylindrical space 258 and is fluidly connected to the differential massexchanger 232, such that a volume of liquid 242 may be transferred fromthe outer tank 230 to the differential mass exchanger 232, and a volumeof liquid 242 may be transferred from the differential mass exchanger232 into the outer tank 230, for example.

An air conduit 268 extends through the bottom 246 into the cylindricalspace 258, the air conduit 268 selectively openable and closeable with avalve 270, such that any air trapped inside the cylindrical space 258may be vented via opening the valve 270, as will be described below.

The pod 234 may be implemented similarly to the pod 106 and is loweredinto the cylindrical space 258 of the outer tank 230. A cylindricalrecess 272 of the closed chamber 274 of the pod 234 is adapted toreceive the air conduit 268 therein, such that the pod 234 rests or setsonto the air conduit 268, when the pod 234 is fully submerged into theouter tank 230.

The inner riser 236 may be implemented similarly to the inner riser 108,or differently therefrom. The inner riser 236 is at least partiallypositioned into the second annular space 256, and is sized such that theinner riser 236 rests or sets on top of the pod 234, when the innerriser 236 is fully submerged into the outer tank 230. Optional bumperpads 276 may be used to cushion the connection between the inner riser236 and the pod 234.

The outer riser 238 may be implemented similarly to the outer riser 110,or differently therefrom. The outer riser 238 is at least partiallydisposed into the first annular space 254, and is sized such that theouter riser 238 sets or rests on the inner riser 236 when the outerriser 238 is fully submerged into the outer tank 230. The outer riser238 is connected to the hydraulic capture assembly 240, such that thehydraulic capture assembly 240 generates a volume of pressurizedhydraulic fluid and stores such pressurized hydraulic fluid into ahydraulic accumulator (not shown). The hydraulic capture assembly 240may be implemented similarly to the hydraulic capture system 112 asdescribed above, for example.

The outer riser 238, the inner riser 236, and the pod 234 are verticallymovable relative to the outer tank 230, and may be implemented similarlyto the outer riser 110, inner riser 108, and pod 106, respectively, asdescribed above.

Referring now to FIG. 20 shown therein is an exemplary embodiment of adifferential mass exchanger 232 according to the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein. The differential mass exchanger 232 comprises two ormore convoluted bags 280, an actuator bar 282, and a hydraulic assist284.

A first convoluted bag 280 is in fluid communication with a unit 101 a,and a second convoluted bag 280 is in fluid communication with a unit101 b. The convoluted bags 280 are substantially filled with liquid 114,and function to transfer a volume of liquid 114 from the outer tank 104into the convoluted bag 280, and from the convoluted bag 280 to theouter tank 104. The pressure of the liquid 114 inside the convolutedbags 280 may be measured via a transducer 286. The convoluted bag 280 isin fluid communication with the liquid conduit 266. Optionally, theconvoluted bags 280 may be in fluid communication with one another via aconduit 288 which may be selective closed with a gate valve 290, forexample.

Each of the two convoluted bags 280 are attached to an end of theactuator bar 282, such that when a convoluted bag 280 is filled withliquid 114 an end 292 of the actuator bar 282 is pressed upwards by theconvoluted bag 280 about a pivot 294. At the same time, an opposite end296 of the actuator bar 282 is pressed downward about the pivot 294 as aconvoluted bag 280 deflates and forces and amount of liquid 114 into thesecond unit 101 b. The actuator bar 282 may be constructed of anysuitable material such as steel, metals, titanium, plastics, resins,wood, and combinations thereof, for example.

The actuator bar 282 is attached to a pendulum arm 298, such that thependulum arm 298 moves about the pivot 294. The pendulum arm 298 may beconstructed of any suitable material such as steel, metals, titanium,plastics, resins, wood, and combinations thereof, for example.

An optional counterweight 300 may be attached to the pendulum arm 298and may be implemented similarly to the counterweight 222. Thecounterweight 300 may comprise a fluid-filled chamber (not shown). Thecounterweight 300 may be any suitable weight, such as lead ingots, steelplates, concrete blocks, liquid-filled compartments, and combinationsthereof, for example.

The hydraulic assist 284 is connected to the pendulum arm 298, such thatthe hydraulic assist 284 is capable of applying force onto the pendulumarm 298 in order to actuate and control the movement of the pendulum arm298 about the pivot 294. The hydraulic assist 284 may be in fluidcommunication with the hydraulic accumulator 212 and may be powered bypressurized hydraulic fluid supplied by the hydraulic accumulator 212.

The operation of the differential mass exchanger 232 is similar to theoperation of the differential air mass exchanger 102, except thatinstead of moving air, the differential mass exchanger 232 moves avolume of liquid 114 between the tanks 104 a and 104 b and theconvoluted bags 280.

It is to be understood that other shapes, materials, and sizes may beutilized for the various components of an apparatus 100 constructed inaccordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein, provided thatsuch other shapes and sizes are capable of forming concentric formationsthat are capable of being stabilized by dynamic centering. It is to befurther understood that other stabilizing means may be used with anapparatus 100 according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein, incombination with dynamic centering, or with each other.

From the above description, it is clear that the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein are adapted to carry out the objects and to attain theadvantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein. While presently preferred embodiments of theinventive concepts disclosed herein have been described for purposes ofthis disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be madewhich will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art andwhich are accomplished within the scope of the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein and defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: an outer tank having anopen top, a tank wall, and a closed bottom; a first ringwall extendingto a first height from the bottom, the first ringwall spaced apart fromthe tank wall such that a first annular space is defined by the firstringwall and the tank wall, and a second annular space is defined by thefirst ringwall; a second ringwall extending to a second height from thebottom, and disposed in the second annular space defined by the firstringwall, such that a third annular space is defined by the firstringwall and the second ringwall, and a cylindrical space defined by thesecond ringwall; a cylindrical air conduit extending to a third heightthrough the bottom and into the cylindrical space; a pod disposed atleast partially into the cylindrical space, the pod comprising a closedtop, a wall, and a bottom defining a closed gas-filled chamber having acylindrical recess receiving the air conduit therein, the wall extendingpast the bottom to define an open displacement chamber, the wallseparated from the second ringwall by a first annular gap; and an innerriser at least partially disposed in the third annular space, the innerriser having a closed top having upper and lower surfaces, a wall, andan open bottom, the lower surface of the inner riser resting on theinner ringwall, the wall separated from the inner ringwall by a secondannular gap, and separated from the outer ringwall by a third annulargap; an outer riser at least partially disposed in the first annularspace and having a closed top, a wall, and an open bottom, the closedtop resting on the outer ringwall and onto the inner riser, the wallseparated from the outer ringwall by a fourth annular gap, and separatedfrom the tank wall by a fifth annular gap, wherein the outer tank is atleast partially filled with a liquid, and wherein the first annual gap,the third annual gap, and the fifth annual gap are substantially full ofthe liquid, and the displacement chamber, the second annual gap, and thefourth annual gap are substantially free of the liquid, such that thepod, inner riser, and outer riser are positively buoyant and capable oftraveling upward relative to the outer tank.
 2. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising a hydraulic capture cylinder containing a volumeof hydraulic fluid therein connected to the outer riser, such that thehydraulic capture cylinder is capable of being actuated by the upwardtravel of the outer riser, the hydraulic capture cylinder in fluidcommunication with a hydraulic accumulator, such that a volume ofhydraulic fluid is movable into the hydraulic accumulator by thehydraulic capture cylinder.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein thehydraulic capture cylinder is in fluid communication with a shut-offvalve capable of selectively preventing the outer riser from travelingupwards.
 4. An apparatus, comprising: a first unit comprising: an outertank having an open top, a tank wall, and a closed bottom; a firstringwall extending to a first height from the bottom, the first ringwallspaced apart from the tank wall such that a first annular space isdefined by the first ringwall and the tank wall, and a second annularspace is defined by the first ringwall; a second ringwall extending to asecond height from the bottom, and disposed in the second annular spacedefined by the first ringwall, such that a third annular space isdefined by the first ringwall and the second ringwall, and a cylindricalspace defined by the second ringwall; a cylindrical air conduitextending to a third height through the bottom and into the cylindricalspace; a pod disposed at least partially into the cylindrical space, thepod comprising a closed top, a wall, and a bottom defining a closedgas-filled chamber having a cylindrical recess receiving the air conduittherein, the wall extending past the bottom to define an opendisplacement chamber, the wall separated from the second ringwall by afirst annular gap; an inner riser at least partially disposed in thethird annular space, the inner riser having a closed top having upperand lower surfaces, a wall, and an open bottom, the lower surface of theinner riser resting on the inner ringwall, the wall separated from theinner ringwall by a second annular gap, and separated from the outerringwall by a third annular gap; and an outer riser at least partiallydisposed into the first annular space and having a closed top, a wall,and an open bottom, the closed top resting on the outer ringwall andonto the inner riser, the wall separated from the outer ringwall by afourth annular gap, and separated from the tank wall by a fifth annulargap, wherein the outer tank is at least partially filled with a liquid,and wherein the first annual gap, the third annual gap, and the fifthannual gap are substantially full of the liquid, and the displacementchamber, the second annual gap, and the fourth annual gap aresubstantially free of the liquid, such that the pod, inner riser, andouter riser are positively buoyant and capable of traveling upwardrelative to the outer tank; a second unit comprising: an outer tankhaving an open top, a tank wall, and a closed bottom; a first ringwallextending to a first height from the bottom, the first ringwall spacedapart from the tank wall such that a first annular space is defined bythe first ringwall and the tank wall, and a second annular space isdefined by the first ringwall; a second ringwall extending to a secondheight from the bottom, and disposed in the second annular space definedby the first ringwall, such that a third annular space is defined by thefirst ringwall and the second ringwall, and a cylindrical space definedby the second ringwall; a cylindrical air conduit extending to a thirdheight through the bottom and into the cylindrical space; a pod disposedat least partially into the cylindrical space, the pod comprising aclosed top, a wall, and a bottom defining a closed gas-filled chamberhaving a cylindrical recess receiving the air conduit therein, the wallextending past the bottom to define an open displacement chamber, thewall separated from the second ringwall by a first annular gap; an innerriser at least partially disposed in the third annular space, the innerriser having a closed top having upper and lower surfaces, a wall, andan open bottom, the lower surface of the inner riser resting onto theinner ringwall, the wall separated from the inner ringwall by a secondannular gap, and separated from the outer ringwall by a third annulargap; and an outer riser at least partially disposed in the first annularspace and having a closed top, a wall, and an open bottom, the closedtop resting onto the outer ringwall and on the inner riser, the wallseparated from the outer ringwall by a fourth annular gap, and separatedfrom the tank wall by a fifth annular gap, wherein the outer tank is atleast partially filled with a liquid, and wherein the first annual gap,the third annual gap, and the fifth annual gap are substantially full ofthe liquid, and the displacement chamber, the second annual gap, and thefourth annual gap are substantially free of the liquid, such that thepod, inner riser, and outer riser are positively buoyant and capable oftraveling upward relative to the outer tank; and the air mass exchangercomprising an assist cylinder separating volumes of air of equal sizeson two sides thereof, and in fluid communication with the air conduit ofthe first unit and the air conduit of the second unit, the assistcylinder capable of moving the volumes of air between the first unit andthe second unit.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first unitfurther comprises a first hydraulic capture cylinder containing a volumeof hydraulic fluid therein connected to the outer riser of the firstunit such that the first hydraulic capture cylinder is capable of beingactuated by the upward travel of the outer riser, the first hydrauliccapture cylinder in fluid communication with a hydraulic accumulatorsuch that a volume of hydraulic fluid is movable into the hydraulicaccumulator by the first hydraulic capture cylinder.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the second unit further comprises a second hydrauliccapture cylinder containing a volume of hydraulic fluid thereinconnected to the outer riser of the second unit, such that the secondhydraulic capture cylinder is capable of being actuated by the upwardtravel of the outer riser, the second hydraulic capture cylinder influid communication with the hydraulic accumulator, such that a volumeof hydraulic fluid is movable into the hydraulic accumulator by thesecond hydraulic capture cylinder.